Systems and methods for automatically assigning voice communication channels to employees in quick service restaurants

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for assigning voice communication channels used by a crew of employees using communication devices are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: electronically store information, wherein the information represents associations of individual voice communication channels with one or more communication groups; receive user input that identifies employees, automatically determine sets of communication channel assignments per communication device, between communication channels and subsets of communication groups; configure communication devices according to the determined assignments; and facilitate packet-based communication, using the communication channels, between the communication devices.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automaticallyassigning voice communication channels for groups of people interactingand/or otherwise working together using communication devices, such as acrew of employees in a quick-service restaurant.

BACKGROUND

Communication systems using a central communication device and anend-user communication device are known. Intercom communication isknown.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a communication systemconfigured for assigning and/or using voice communication channels,e.g., as used by a crew of employees, e.g., in a quick-servicerestaurant having one or more drive-through lanes. As used herein, theterm “employee” and derivatives thereof generically refer to peopleinteracting and/or otherwise working together, regardless of officialand/or technical employment status or corporate hierarchy. The termsemployee and crew member may be used interchangeably, and may includepeople who own any part of a corporation. The drive-throughs may includeone or both of a menu board and a speaker post. The communication systemmay include electronic storage and one or more hardware processors. Theelectronic storage may electronically store information. The informationrepresents associations of individual voice communication channels withone or more communication groups. Individual ones of the one or morecommunication groups may be specific to one or more (types of) roles ofemployees, e.g., in the quick-service restaurant. Individualassociations may be between an individual voice communication channeland a subset of the one or more communication groups. The one or morecommunication groups may include a first communication group, a secondcommunication group, a third communication group, and so forth. Thefirst communication group may be specific to (a first type of) roles inthe quick-service restaurant that are related to the first drive-throughlane. The second communication group may be specific to (a second typeof) roles in the quick-service restaurant, and in some cases may berelated to a second drive-through lane. The third communication groupmay be specific to (a third type of) roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that may be related to food production. The one or morehardware processors may be configured by machine-readable instructionsto receive user input from a first employee. The one or more hardwareprocessors may be configured by machine-readable instructions toautomatically determine a first set of communication channel assignmentsfor a first communication device. The one or more hardware processorsmay be configured by machine-readable instructions to configure thefirst communication device according to the determined first set ofcommunication channel assignments. The one or more hardware processorsmay be configured by machine-readable instructions to receivedevice-specific packets from communication devices associated with crewmembers. The device-specific packets may include packetized uplinkinformation based on audio information captured by the communicationdevices. The device-specific packets may be targeted to one or more ofthe communication groups. The one or more hardware processors may beconfigured by machine-readable instructions to generate downlink packetsthat includes packetized downlink information that is organized in a setof broadcast channels. Individual broadcast channels may be used foraudio information received in device-specific packets that were targetedto individual subsets of the one or more communication groups. The oneor more hardware processors may be configured by machine-readableinstructions to transmit downlink packets to a set of communicationdevices. The first communication device may be configured to presentaudio information received in any of the individual broadcast channelsthat are associated with any of the individual subsets of the one ormore communication groups that include the given communication channelas selected.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method forassigning and/or using voice communication channels, e.g., as used by acrew of employees, e.g., in a quick-service restaurant having one ormore drive-through lanes. The method may include electronically storinginformation. The information represents associations of individual voicecommunication channels with one or more communication groups. Individualones of the one or more communication groups may be specific to one ormore (types of) roles of employees in the quick-service restaurant.Individual associations may be between an individual voice communicationchannel and a subset of the one or more communication groups. The one ormore communication groups may include a first communication group, asecond communication group, a third communication group, and so forth.The first communication group may be specific to (a first type of) rolesin the quick-service restaurant that are related to the firstdrive-through lane. The second communication group may be specific to (asecond type of) roles in the quick-service restaurant, and in some casesmay be related to a second drive-through lane. The third communicationgroup may be specific to (a third type of) roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that may be related to food production. The method mayinclude receiving user input from a first employee. The method mayinclude automatically determining a first set of communication channelassignments for a first communication device. The method may includeconfiguring the first communication device according to the determinedfirst set of communication channel assignments. The method may includereceiving device-specific packets from communication devices associatedwith crew members. The device-specific packets may include packetizeduplink information based on audio information captured by thecommunication devices. The device-specific packets may be targeted toone or more of the communication groups. The method may includegenerating downlink packets that includes packetized downlinkinformation that is organized in a set of broadcast channels. Individualbroadcast channels may be used for audio information received indevice-specific packets that were targeted to individual subsets of theone or more communication groups. The method may include transmittingdownlink packets to a set of communication devices. The firstcommunication device may present audio information received in any ofthe individual broadcast channels that are associated with any of theindividual subsets of the one or more communication groups that includethe given communication channel as selected.

As used herein, any association (or relation, or reflection, orindication, or correspondency) involving communication systems,information processing units, processors, communication devices,communication protocols, sub-systems, base stations, microphones,headsets, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters,transceivers, encoders, decoders, channels, communication groups,assignments, determinations, time periods, timeframes, packets,information signals, sounds, wires, formats, standards, connections,instructions, configurations, messages, user interfaces, users, and/oranother entity or object that interacts with any part of the systemand/or plays a part in the operation of the system, may be a one-to-oneassociation, a one-to-many association, a many-to-one association,and/or a many-to-many association or N-to-M association (note that N andM may be different numbers greater than 1).

As used herein, the term “obtain” (and derivatives thereof) may includeactive and/or passive retrieval, determination, derivation, transfer,upload, download, submission, and/or exchange of information, and/or anycombination thereof. As used herein, the term “effectuate” (andderivatives thereof) may include active and/or passive causation of anyeffect, both local and remote. As used herein, the term “determine” (andderivatives thereof) may include measure, calculate, compute, estimate,approximate, generate, and/or otherwise derive, and/or any combinationthereof. As used herein, the terms “connect” and “couple” (andderivatives thereof) may be used interchangeably to indicate a linkbetween multiple components that may or may not include intermediarycomponents.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system configured for assigning andusing voice communication channels used by a crew of employees, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for assigning and using voice communicationchannels used by a crew of employees, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

FIGS. 3A-3B-3C-3D illustrate exemplary sets of communication groups asmay be used by a system configured for assigning voice communicationchannels used by a group of people, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary timeframe as may be used by a systemconfigured for assigning voice communication channels used by a group ofpeople, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIGS. 5A-5B-5C-5D illustrate exemplary sets of assignments of voicecommunication channels, in accordance with one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 configured for assigning and/or usingvoice communication channels, e.g., as used by a crew of employees,e.g., in a quick-service restaurant having one or more drive-throughlanes. System 100 may be referred to as an intercom communicationsystem, or as a communication system. In some implementations, system100 may include one or more central communication devices 101, one ormore information processing units 102, one or more processors 124,electronic storage 122, one or more base stations 103, one or moreexternal resources 121, one or more user interfaces 140, one or morecommunication devices 104 and/or other components.

The users of system 100 may include employees, staff members or crewmembers, managers and/or other stakeholders, and/or other groups ofpeople interacting and/or otherwise working together. The users ofsystem 100 may be divided and/or organized into a set of communicationgroups. In some implementations, individual communication groups may bespecific to one or more (types of) roles of employees in a quick-servicerestaurant. For example, a given communication group may be specific toa given role or type of role of people interacting and/or otherwiseworking together. In some implementations, individual communicationgroups may be specific to one or more locations in a work area and/orother localized area. In some implementations, individual communicationgroups may be specific to one or more responsibilities in a work areaand/or other localized area. For example, the communication groups for aquick-service restaurant may include four communication groups: a firstcommunication group may be specific to roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that are related to a first drive-through lane, a secondcommunication group may be specific to roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that are related to a second drive-through lane, a thirdcommunication group may be specific to roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that are related to food production, and a fourthcommunication group may be specific to roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that are related to the front counter. Variations may useonly one drive-through lane, and/or may combine the groups for foodproduction,front counter, outside order-taking, management or security.For example, the communication groups for a theater production mayinclude different communication groups for stage crew, audio-visualcrew, front-of-house, director, etc. System 100 may be used in othercontexts where people work together, including but not limited to themepark ride management, medical operating room communications, footballcoach communications, factory floor communications, and/or othercontexts.

Voice communication channels managed by system 100 may facilitatecommunication among and/or between specific (sets of) communicationgroups. By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplaryset 301 of three communication groups that are specific to different(types of) roles and/or locations in a work area, such as aquick-service restaurant. The first communication group is indicated bythe label “Communication Group I”. The second communication group isindicated by the label “Communication Group II”. The third communicationgroup is indicated by the label “Communication Group III”. Communicationfor different subsets of these three communication groups may use sevendifferent voice communication channels as depicted (though the numberingused for these voice communication channels is exemplary and notintended to be limiting). The voice communication channels in overlapareas in FIG. 3A include mixed communications. Communication (targeted)to just the first communication group may use, at least, a first voicecommunication channel “C1”, in addition to other voice communicationchannels associated with the first communication group. Communication tojust the second communication group may use, at least, a second voicecommunication channel “C2”, in addition to other voice communicationchannels associated with the second communication group. Communicationto both the first and second communication groups may use a third voicecommunication channel “C3” (in other words, C3 includes communicationstargeted to the first communication group mixed with communicationstargeted to the second communication group). Communication to just thethird communication group may use, at least, a seventh voicecommunication channel “C7”, in addition to other voice communicationchannels associated with the third communication group. Communication toboth the first and third communication groups may use a fourth voicecommunication channel “C4” (in other words, C4 includes communicationstargeted to the first communication group mixed with communicationstargeted to the third communication group). Communication to both thesecond and third communication groups may use a fifth voicecommunication channel “C5” (in other words, C5 includes communicationstargeted to the second communication group mixed with communicationstargeted to the third communication group). Communication to the first,second, and third communication groups may use a sixth voicecommunication channel “C6” (in other words, C6 includes communicationstargeted to the first communication group mixed with communicationstargeted to the second communication group and communications targetedto the third communication group). In some implementations, a user inthe first communication group could target, direct, and/or transmit avoice message/communication to any of the communication groups, butwould only receive voice messages/communication targeted, directed,and/or transmitted to the first communication group (e.g., the user canselect the first, third, fourth, or sixth broadcast channel, dependingon which other communication groups are to be added/included). In someimplementations, all users in the same communication group may haveaccess to and can listen to the same voice communication channels. Insome implementations, there may be no (predetermined) limit to how manydifferent users can listen to the same voice communication channelsimultaneously. A user in the second communication group would onlyreceive voice messages/communication targeted, directed, and/ortransmitted to the second communication group (e.g., the user can selectthe second, third, fifth, or sixth broadcast channel, depending on whichother communication groups are to be added/included). A user in thethird communication group would only receive voicemessages/communication targeted, directed, and/or transmitted to thethird communication group (e.g., the user can select the fourth, fifth,sixth, or seventh broadcast channel, depending on which othercommunication groups are to be added/included). By way of non-limitingexample, FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary set 302 of four communicationgroups that are specific to different (types of) roles and/or locationsin a work area, such as a quick-service restaurant. Exemplary set 302 issimilar to set 301 of FIG. 3A, with an added fourth communication group,indicated by the label “Communication Group IV”. Communication to justthe fourth communication group may use, at least, a ninth voicecommunication channel “C9”, in addition to other voice communicationchannels associated with the fourth communication group. Communicationto both the third and fourth communication groups may use an eighthvoice communication channel “C8” (in other words, C8 includescommunications targeted to the third communication group mixed withcommunications targeted to the fourth communication group). In someimplementations, a user in the fourth communication group could target,direct, and/or transmit a voice message/communication to any of thecommunication groups, but would only receive voicemessages/communication targeted, directed, and/or transmitted to thefourth communication group (e.g., the user can select the eighth orninth broadcast channel, depending on which other communication groupsare to be added/included). In this case, the user in the thirdcommunication group could additionally select the eighth voicecommunication channel.

Referring to FIG. 1 , central communication device 101 (also referred toas central communication hub) and/or information processing unit(s) 102may be configured to communicate with one or more communication devices104 according to a client/server architecture, a point-to-pointarchitecture, and/or other architectures. Communication device(s) 104(which may be referred to as end-user communication devices) may beconfigured to communicate with other communication devices 104 viacentral communication device 101, information processing unit(s) 102,and/or other components of system 100. Users may access system 100 viacommunication devices 104. Communication devices 104 may include a firstcommunication device 104 a, a second communication device 104 b, a thirdcommunication device 104 c, and/or other communication devices. Firstcommunication device 104 a may be associated with a first user, secondcommunication device 104 b may be associated with a second user, thirdcommunication device 104 c may be associated with a third user, and soforth. In some implementations, communication between communicationdevices 104 may be performed on a local communications network, such as,by way of non-limiting example, a local area network. Alternatively,and/or simultaneously, in some implementations, the local communicationsnetwork may include a personal area network. For example, the localcommunications network may be used in a restaurant, a service location,a theater, an office, a building, a construction site, and/or in otherlocalized areas. In some implementations, communication betweencommunication devices 104 is performed via central communication device101, which communicates with base station 103. For example,communication between communication devices 104 may be performed withoutusing one or more networks 13.

Central communication device 101 may include one or more of informationprocessing units 102, electronic storage 122, a first antenna 101 a, asecond antenna 101 b, and/or other components. In some implementations,central communication device 101 may be referred to as a remote and/orfixed communication device. In some implementations, centralcommunication device 101 may be configured to facilitate localizedcommunications in a local communications network among a set ofcommunication devices 104, such as, by way of non-limiting example,first communication device 104 a, second communication device 104 b,third communication device 104 c, and/or other communication devices. Insome implementations, individual antennas of central communicationdevice 101 may be configured to operate in conjunction with individualtransceivers that are included in central communication device 101 (notdepicted). In implementations using two separate antennas and twoseparate transceivers, communications by central communication device101 may be improved (by way of non-limiting example, in terms ofreliability, audio quality, and/or other quality factors) by providingdifferent types of diversity. The different types of diversity mayinclude one or more of antenna diversity, transceiver diversity, spatialdiversity (e.g., if multiple antennas on central communication device101 are disposed and/or positioned in different locations), frequencydiversity, channel diversity, time diversity, and/or other types ofdiversity. In some implementations using one antenna and transceiver forcommunications by central communication device 101 with set ofcommunication devices 104, the different types of diversity may include,e.g., frequency diversity and time diversity.

Communications between central communication device 101 and one or morecommunication devices 104 may be based on the exchange of packets ofinformation that are formatted in one or more particular formats. Asused herein, the direction from one or more base stations 103 viacentral communication device 101 to one or more communication devices104 may be referred to as downlink and/or downstream. As used herein,the direction from one or more communication devices 104 via centralcommunication device 101 to one or more base stations 103 may bereferred to as uplink and/or upstream. Accordingly, information providedthrough uplink communication may be referred to as uplink information,information provided through downlink communication may be referred toas downlink information. In some implementations, packets may beformatted using a format based on the (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards.In some implementations, packets may have a proprietary format. In someimplementations, downlink packets may be transmitted to multiplecommunication devices 104 at once. In some implementations, uplinkpackets may be device-specific packets that are transmitted by aparticular communication device 104 (e.g., at a particular time).Packetized communication may have overhead, e.g., due to the use ofheader information, which may reduce the efficiency of thecommunication. Downlink packets may be more efficient than uplinkpackets, since information for multiple communication devices 104 may betransmitted at once, whereas in some implementations, uplink packets mayonly contain information from a single communication device 104.

Central communication device 101 may use different communicationprotocols, communication formats, and/or communication links tocommunicate with different ones (and/or different types) ofcommunication devices 104 and/or other components of system 100. Forexample, central communication device 101 may use a primary (wireless)communication link to communicate with first communication device 104 a.In some implementations, central communication device 101 may use firstantenna 101 a (and a corresponding transceiver) to transmit and/orreceive information over the primary communication link, using a firstfrequency range. In some implementations, central communication device101 may use second antenna 101 b (and a corresponding transceiver) totransmit and/or receive information over the primary communication link,using a second frequency range. In some implementations, centralcommunication device 101 may use different antennas to transmit and/orreceive information over different communication links, e.g., usingdifferent communication standards and/or formats. For example, centralcommunication device 101 may use a secondary communication link tocommunicate with base station 103. In some implementations,communication via the secondary communication link may be based on theEthernet family of standards. In some implementations, communication viathe secondary communication link may be based on a proprietary format.In some implementations, communication over the secondary communicationlink may be point-to-point. In some implementations, communication overthe secondary communication links may be supported in system 100 withoutthe need or use of cellular networks or public networks. In someimplementations, central communication device 101 and/or base station103 may support additional communication links for firmware updates,monitoring, maintenance, configuration, and/or other types ofcommunication.

By way of non-limiting example, central communication device 101 may usea particular wireless communication link to communicate with one or moreclient communication devices 104, including but not limited to firstcommunication device 104 a, second communication device 104 b, thirdcommunication device 104 c, and/or other communication devices. In someimplementations, communication (in particular registration andconfiguration) via this wireless communication link may includecommunication based on a short-range wireless communication protocol,contact-less information, and/or near-field communication (NFC). In someimplementations, central communication device 101 may use a separateantenna (not depicted) to transmit and/or receive information over thisparticular communication link. In some implementations, communicationover this particular communication link may be supported in system 100without the need or use of cellular networks or public networks.

System 100 may include electronic storage 122. Electronic storage 122may comprise non-transitory storage media that electronically storesinformation. The electronic storage media of electronic storage 122 mayinclude one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e.,substantially non-removable) with information processing unit(s) 102and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to informationprocessing unit(s) 102 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, afirewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronicstorage 122 may include one or more of optically readable storage media(e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electricalcharge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-statestorage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronicallyreadable storage media. Electronic storage 122 may include one or morevirtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual privatenetwork, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage 122may store software algorithms, information determined by processor(s)124, information received from information processing unit(s) 102,information received from communication device(s) 104, and/or otherinformation that enables information processing unit(s) 102 to functionas described herein.

In some implementations, information stored in electronic storage 122may include information that represents associations of individual voicecommunication channels with one or more communication groups. Theindividual ones of the one or more communication groups may be specificto one or more roles of people and/or employees, e.g. employees in aquick-service restaurant. The individual ones of the one or morecommunication groups may be specific to one or more types of roles ofinteracting people and/or employees, e.g. employees in a quick-servicerestaurant. In some implementations, individual associations are betweenindividual voice communication channels and individual subsets of theset of communication groups. The one or more communication groups mayinclude one or more of a first communication group, a secondcommunication group, a third communication group, a fourth communicationgroup, and so forth.

In some implementations, the associations may include a firstassociation between a first voice communication channel and a firstcommunication group. The first communication group may be specific to (afirst type of) roles in the quick-service restaurant that are related toa first drive-through lane. In some implementations, the associationsmay include a second association between a second voice communicationchannel and a second communication group. The second communication groupmay be specific to (a second type of) roles in the quick-servicerestaurant that are related to a second drive-through lane. In someimplementations, the associations may include a third associationbetween a third voice communication channel and the first and secondcommunication groups. In some implementations, the associations mayinclude a fourth association between a fourth voice communicationchannel and the first communication group and a third communicationgroup. The third communication group may be specific to (a third typeof) roles in the quick-service restaurant that are related to foodproduction. In some implementations, the associations may include afifth association between a fifth voice communication channel and thesecond and third communication groups. In some implementations, theassociations may include a sixth association between a sixth voicecommunication channel and the first, second, and third communicationgroups. In some implementations, the associations may include a seventhassociation between a seventh voice communication channel and the thirdcommunication group. In some implementations, the associations mayinclude an eighth association between an eighth voice communicationchannel and the third communication group and a fourth communicationgroup. The fourth communication group may be specific to (a fourth typeof) roles in the quick-service restaurant that are related to the frontcounter. In some implementations, the associations may include a ninthassociation between a ninth voice communication channel and the fourthcommunication group. For example, these nine voice communicationchannels may correspond to exemplary set of communication groups 302 ofFIG. 3B. Different sets of communication groups (overlapping indifferent ways) may use voice communication channels differently asneeded, using a different set of associations. In some implementations,the usage of the communication channels may be further restricted asneeded for certain roles or groups or subsets of crew members. Forexample, in some implementations, some crew members may only be able tolisten to one or more voice communication channels (e.g., only use C1,or only use C2). Some crew members may be able to switch between allavailable communication groups, whereas other crew members may be morerestricted in usage and/or switching.

Information processing unit(s) 102 may be configured by machine-readableinstructions 106. Machine-readable instructions 106 may include one ormore instruction components. The instruction components may includecomputer program components. The instruction components may include oneor more of an input component 116, an assignment component 118, aconfiguration component 120, a packet generating component 108, a packettransmission component 110, a packet receiving component 112, a channelmapping component 114, an audio mixing component 126, and/or otherinstruction components. In some implementations, one or more of theinstruction components may be part of other information processingunits, including but not limited to information processing units 102 aof base station 103.

Input component 116 may be configured to receive and/or otherwise obtainuser input from users. For example, input component 116 may receivefirst user input from a first user, second user input from a seconduser, third user input from a third user, and so forth. User input mayidentify one or more types of information, including but not limited toinformation that identifies a given employee, information thatidentifies a given role of a given employee, information that identifiesa given communication group associated with a given employee,information that identifies a given communication group associated witha given client computing device, and/or other information. For example,a first employee may enter and/or select their name, their ID, theiremployee number, their badge number, and/or any other identificationthat is uniquely related to themselves, and by doing so, input component116 may receive this input and/or information based thereon. Forexample, the first employee could enter his name (say, “John”), oremployee number (say, “12345”), but, alternatively, and/orsimultaneously, the first employee could enter a role (say, “cashier forLane 1”), a type of role (“taking orders for first drive-through lane”),a communication group (say “Communication Group III”), and/or otherinformation that may be used to automatically assign voice communicationchannels as described herein. In some implementations, system 100 may beconfigured to correlate an employee's identification with a particularrole (e.g., for the upcoming shift of work), such as, by way ofnon-limiting example, a role specific to the first drive-through lane atthe quick-service restaurant. At a different time or day, the sameemployee may be associated with a different role. Different roles (ortypes of roles) may use different communication groups, and maytherefore be associated with and/or assigned to different voicecommunication channels. In some implementations, system 100 may beconfigured to associate an identified role (or type of role) with agiven subset of communication groups. In some implementations, system100 may be configured to assign different voice communication channelsbased on an identified communication group. In some implementations,user input may be entered and/or selected at base station 103 (e.g.,through a user interface). In some implementations, user input may bereceived by input component 116 subsequent to a given user registering agiven communication device (e.g., a headset) with base station 103(e.g., prior to a shift of work starting). In some implementations,subsequent to registration of the given communication device, system 100may configure the given communication device such that the given usercan communicate with other users (in particular, in accordance with thespecific role of the given user).

Assignment component 118 may be configured to automatically determinesets of communication channel assignments for communication devices 104.In some implementations, assignments may be based on user input receivedby input component 116. In some implementations, assignments may berole-specific, based on user input received by input component 116. Insome implementations, individual communication channels may be assignedto individual subsets of communication groups. For example, for a givenemployee, assignment component 118 may determine a set of fourcommunication channel assignments (e.g., assignments for a first,second, third, and fourth communication channel, to subsets of a set ofa first, second, and third communication groups). The firstcommunication channel may be assigned to the first communication group.The second communication channel may be assigned to the subset of thefirst and second communication groups. The third communication channelmay be assigned to the subset of the first and third communicationgroups. The fourth communication channel may be assigned to the set offirst, second, and third communication groups. By way of non-limitingexample, these assignments are depicted for an employee in CommunicationGroup I in FIG. 3A (though the first though fourth communicationchannels as described here are labeled C1, C3, C4, and C6,respectively). Additionally, by way of non-limiting example, FIG. 5Aillustrates three sets of assignments for employees in each of thefirst, second, and third communication group. The first through fourthcommunication channels (as may be selected by a user) have beenarbitrarily labeled “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”. The first column in FIG. 5Adepicts the same assignments as described here for an employee in thefirst communication group (here, the channel labels are not considered acolumn). By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3A also depicts a set offour communication channel assignments for an employee in the secondcommunication group (Communication Group II), where the first thoughfourth communication channels as may be selected are labeled C2, C3, C5,and C6, respectively, matching the second column in FIG. 5A. By way ofnon-limiting example, FIG. 3A also depicts a set of four communicationchannel assignments for an employee in the third communication group(Communication Group III), where the first though fourth communicationchannels as may be selected are labeled C7, C4, C5, and C6,respectively, matching the third column in FIG. 5A. In someimplementations, assignment component 118 may be configured to supportdynamic communication channel assignments based on a given usermodifying his or her primary role and/or communication group. Forexample, the given user may be allowed to switch between the first andsecond communication groups, listening to C4 before the switch, andlistening to C5 after the switch.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary set 302of four communication groups that are specific to different (types of)roles and/or locations in a work area, such as a quick-servicerestaurant. Exemplary set 302 is similar to set 301 of FIG. 3A, with anadded fourth communication group, indicated by the label “CommunicationGroup IV”. For example, for a given employee, assignment component 118may determine a set of up to five communication channel assignments(e.g., assignments for a first, second, third, fourth, and fifthcommunication channel, labeled “A” to “E”, to subsets of a set of afirst, second, third, and fourth communication groups). The assignmentsfor the first and second communication groups may be similar to thedepiction in FIG. 5A. Additionally, for an employee in the thirdcommunication group, a fifth communication channel labeled C8 may beassigned to the set of third and fourth communication groups, asdepicted in the third column of FIG. 5B. For an employee in the fourthcommunication group, two communication channels labeled C9 and C8 may beassigned as shown in FIG. 3B, and depicted in the fourth column of FIG.5B.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary set 303of four communication groups that are specific to different (types of)roles and/or locations in a work area, such as a quick-servicerestaurant. For a given employee, assignment component 118 may determinea set of three communication channel assignments (assignments for afirst, second, and third communication channel, to subsets of a set of afirst, second, third, and fourth communication groups). The firstcommunication channel may be assigned to the first communication group.The second communication channel may be assigned to the secondcommunication group. The third communication channel may be assigned tothe third communication group. The fourth communication channel may beassigned to the fourth communication group. The fifth through eighthcommunication channel may be assigned to subsets of the fourcommunication groups, as depicted in FIG. 3C. For an employee inCommunication Group I in FIG. 3C the three communication channels asassigned are labeled C1, C5, and C8. For an employee in CommunicationGroup II in FIG. 3C the three communication channels as assigned arelabeled C2, C5, and C6. For an employee in Communication Group III inFIG. 3C the three communication channels as assigned are labeled C3, C6,and C7. For an employee in Communication Group IV in FIG. 3C the threecommunication channels as assigned are labeled C4, C7, and C8.Additionally, by way of non-limiting example, FIG. 5C illustrates foursets of assignments for employees in each of the first, second, third,and fourth communication group. The first through third communicationchannels have been arbitrarily labeled “A”, “B”, and “C”. The firstcolumn in FIG. 5C depicts the same assignments as described here for anemployee in the first communication group. The second column in FIG. 5Cdepicts the same assignments as described here for an employee in thesecond communication group. The third column in FIG. 5C depicts the sameassignments as described here for an employee in the third communicationgroup. The fourth column in FIG. 5C depicts the same assignments asdescribed here for an employee in the fourth communication group.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3D illustrates an exemplary set 304of five communication groups that are specific to different (types of)roles and/or locations in a work area, such as a quick-servicerestaurant. Communication for different subsets of these fivecommunication groups may use twelve different voice communicationchannels as depicted. For a given employee, assignment component 118 maydetermine a set of communication channel assignments to subsets of thecommunication groups. For employees in each of the five communicationgroups, up to five communication channels are assigned as depicted,matching the same assignments in FIG. 5D.

Configuration component 120 may be configured to configure communicationdevices 104 (e.g., control settings for communication using thosecommunication devices). Communication devices 104 may be configured byconfiguration component 120 according to assignments determined byassignment component 118. For example, configuration information may betransmitted to communication device 104 and stored locally oncommunication devices 104. For example, configuration instructions maybe transmitted to communication device 104 and executed locally oncommunication devices 104. For example, for a given employee (associatedwith a given communication device 104) in the first communication groupin FIG. 3A, the communication channels labeled “A” to “D” of the givencommunication device may be configured according to the first column inFIG. 5A, enabling channel selections of “A” to “D” by the given employeefor communication with other employees. For a different employee(associated with a different communication device 104) in the secondcommunication group in FIG. 3A, the communication channels labeled “A”to “D” of the different communication device may be configured accordingto the second column in FIG. 5A, enabling channel selections of “A” to“D” by the different employee for communication with other employees.For another employee (associated with another communication device 104)in the third communication group in FIG. 3A, the communication channelslabeled “A” to “D” of the other communication device may be configuredaccording to the third column in FIG. 5A, enabling channel selections of“A” to “D” by the other employee for communication with employees. Insome implementations, configuration information may be transmitted usingthe same communication links as used to exchange device-specificpackets. In some implementations, configuration information may betransmitted using one or more different communication links as used toexchange device-specific packets, such as, e.g., a communication linkbased on near-field communication (NFC).

Referring to FIG. 1 , packet receiving component 112 may be configuredto receive packets, including but not limited to downlink packets,device-specific packets, and/or other packets. Receipt of packets may bescheduled, arranged, and/or otherwise timed in specific time periods. Insome implementations, central communication device 101 may be configuredto receive one or more device-specific packets. For example, packetreceiving component 112 may receive multiple device-specific packets pertimeframe, such as a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, nineth, tenth, and/or other device-specific packets,e.g., from different communication devices 104.

For example, a first device-specific packet may be received by firstcentral antenna 101 a, e.g., during a first uplink time period thatoccurs within a first timeframe. The first device-specific packet may bereceived from first communication device 104 a. The firstdevice-specific packet may include packetized uplink information basedon audio and/or video information captured by first communication device104 a. The audio and/or video information captured by the firstcommunication device may be part of audio communication (through system100) between different users. The first device-specific packet may betargeted to a given communication group, such as, e.g., a firstcommunication group. By way of non-limiting example, individualcommunication groups may be associated with one or more voicecommunication channels selected from a set of broadcast communicationchannels. Individual ones of the one or more communication groups may bespecific to one or more (types of) roles of people interacting within agroup of people, such as a crew of employees in a quick-servicerestaurant. For example, in reference to FIG. 3A, audio information in adevice-specific packet targeted to the first communication group may beincluded in the first, third, fourth, and sixth broadcast channels.

Packet receiving component 112 may be configured to receive a seconddevice-specific packet, e.g., during a second uplink time period thatoccurs within the first timeframe or within a second timeframe. In someimplementations, the second uplink time period may occur subsequent tothe occurrence of the first uplink time period. The seconddevice-specific packet may be received from second communication device104 b. The second device-specific packet may include packetized uplinkinformation based on audio and/or video information captured by secondcommunication device 104 b. The audio and/or video information capturedby second communication device 104 b may be part of audio communication(through system 100) between different users. The second device-specificpacket may be targeted to a given communication group, such as, e.g.,the second voice communication channel. For example, in reference toFIG. 3A, audio information in a device-specific packet targeted to thesecond communication group may be included in the second, third, fifth,and sixth broadcast channels.

Packet receiving component 112 may be configured to receive a thirddevice-specific packet, e.g., during a third uplink time period thatoccurs within the first timeframe, the second timeframe, or within athird timeframe. In some implementations, the third uplink time periodmay occur subsequent to the occurrence of the first and second uplinktime periods. The third device-specific packet may be received fromthird communication device 104 c. The third device-specific packet mayinclude packetized uplink information based on audio and/or videoinformation captured by third communication device 104 c. The audioand/or video information captured by third communication device 104 cmay be part of audio communication (through system 100) betweendifferent users. The third device-specific packet may be targeted to agiven communication group, such as, e.g., the third communication group.For example, in reference to FIG. 3A, audio information in adevice-specific packet targeted to the third communication group may beincluded in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh broadcast channels.And so forth for additional device-specific packets.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplarytimeframe 401 having a top portion and a bottom portion (using differentsections of the same frequency range), with the top portion showing afirst, second, and third through tenth time period (for device-specificpackets ULS0, ULS1, ULS2, through ULS10 in chronological order). Thebottom section shows the same packets being transmitted at a later time.In some implementations, time frames may include at least 11device-specific packets. For example, in some implementations,individual time frames may include 13 slots of which 10 are used fordevice-specific packets.

Referring to FIG. 1 , packet generating component 108 may be configuredto generate packets, including but not limited to downlink packets,device-specific packets, and/or other packets. In some implementations,downlink packets may include a first downlink packet, a second downlinkpacket, a third downlink packet, and/or other downlink packets. In someimplementations, one or more broadcast and/or downlink packets may begenerated by central communication device 101. In some implementations,one or more downlink packets may be generated by base station 103.Individual downlink packets may include packetized downlink information.By way of non-limiting example, (contents of) packetized downlinkinformation may be based on audio and/or video information that waspreviously (e.g., in a previous timeframe) included in one or more otherpackets, e.g., one or more device-specific packets and/or other uplinkinformation. In some implementations, individual downlink packets mayinclude packetized downlink information that is organized in a set ofbroadcast channels. In some implementations, individual downlink packetsmay have a target and/or destination indication that indicates a networkdestination in the local communications network for the includedpacketized downlink information. For example, the network destinationmay include and/or indicate one or more specific communication devices104, and/or other destinations. The set of broadcast channels mayinclude a first broadcast channel, a second broadcast channel, a thirdbroadcast channel, and so forth. Individual broadcast channels may beused for previously received audio information that was targeted to oneor more communication groups that are associated with one or more voicecommunication channels selected from a set of broadcast communicationchannels. For example, the first broadcast channel may be used for audioinformation targeted to the first communication group (in accordancewith exemplary set of communication groups 301 of FIG. 3A, and thecorresponding associations between individual voice communicationchannels and subsets of the set of communication groups). For example,the second broadcast channel may be used for audio information targetedto the second communication group (in accordance with exemplary set ofcommunication groups 301 of FIG. 3A). For example, the third broadcastchannel may be used for audio information targeted, at least, to one ofthe first and second communication groups (in accordance with exemplaryset of communication groups 301 of FIG. 3A). For example, the fourthbroadcast channel may be used for audio information targeted, at least,to one of the first and third communication groups (in accordance withexemplary set of communication groups 301 of FIG. 3A). For example, thefifth broadcast channel may be used for audio information targeted, atleast, to one of the second and third communication groups (inaccordance with exemplary set of communication groups 301 of FIG. 3A).For example, the sixth broadcast channel may be used for audioinformation targeted, at least, to one of the first through thirdcommunication groups (in accordance with exemplary set of communicationgroups 301 of FIG. 3A). For example, the seventh broadcast channel maybe used for audio information targeted to the third communication group(in accordance with exemplary set of communication groups 301 of FIG.3A). In some implementations, device-specific packets may be generatedby individual communication devices 104.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplarytimeframe 401 having a top portion and a bottom portion (using differentsections of the same frequency range), with the top portion showing afirst downlink packet labeled “BP0”, which includes the first throughtenth broadcast channels, labeled “B1” to “B10”. The indicated use often broadcast channels is exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Insome implementations, downlink packets may include at least 10 broadcastchannels.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in some implementations, packet generatingcomponent 108 may be configured to generate downlink packets thatinclude packetized downlink information that is organized in a set ofdedicated channels. In some implementations, individual dedicatedchannels may have a target and/or a destination that is a specificcommunication device 104, such that the audio information on anindividual dedicated channel excludes audio information received fromthe specific communication device 104. As a result, the user of thespecific communication device 104 will not receive an echo through theindividual dedicated channel of their own audio. For example, a firstdedicated channel may include the same audio information as the firstbroadcast channel, minus the audio information received from firstcommunication device 104 a (for example, if the audio information fromfirst communication device 104 a targeted the first communication group,the first dedicated channel would include the audio information targetedto the first communication group). For example, a second dedicatedchannel may include the same audio information as the second broadcastchannel, minus the audio information received from second communicationdevice 104 b (for example, if the audio information from secondcommunication device 104 b targeted the second communication group, thesecond dedicated channel would include the audio information targeted tothe second communication group). For example, a third dedicated channelmay include the same audio information as the third broadcast channel,minus the audio information received from third communication device 104c (for example, if the audio information from third communication device104 c targeted the third communication group, the second dedicatedchannel would include the audio information targeted to the thirdcommunication group), and so forth.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplarytimeframe 401 having a top portion and a bottom portion (using differentsections of the same frequency range), with the top portion showing afirst downlink packet labeled “BP0”, which includes the first throughtenth dedicated channels, labeled “D1” to “D10”, in addition tobroadcast channels. The indicated use of ten dedicated channels isexemplary and not intended to be limiting. The bottom portion also showsdownlink packet labeled “BP0”, which may be transmitted at a differenttime and may be transmitted on a different frequency. In someimplementations, there may be a predetermined limit to how manydifferent users can speak to the same voice communication channelsimultaneously, which may match the number of dedicated channels.

Referring to FIG. 1 , packet transmission component 110 may beconfigured to transmit packets, including but not limited to downlinkpackets, device-specific packets, and/or other packets. Transmission ofpackets may be scheduled, arranged, and/or otherwise timed in specifictime periods. As used herein, time periods are periods of time, having aspecified and/or limited duration. A set or sequence of time periods maybe scheduled, arranged, and/or otherwise timed to occur in particulartimeframes. In some implementations, different periods in a set orsequence may not overlap. For example, the duration of individualtimeframes may be between 1 and 3 ms, between 4 and 6 ms, about 5 ms,between 5 and 10 ms, between 8 and 12 ms, about 10 ms, about 15 ms,between 10 and 20 ms, and/or another duration. In some implementations,individual time periods may include time slots.

In some implementations, downlink packets may be transmitted by centralcommunication device 101. For example, a first downlink packet may betransmitted via first central antenna 101 a (of the first centraltransceiver) of central communication device 101 to a set ofcommunication devices 104. For example, a second downlink packet may betransmitted to the same set of communication devices 104. In someimplementations, the first and second downlink packets may betransmitted in different time periods during the same timeframe. In someimplementations, individual timeframes may include two downlink packets.In some implementations, individual timeframes may include more than twodownlink packets. Transmission of the first downlink packet may use afirst channel of a first frequency range. As used herein, channels aredesignated sub-ranges within a frequency range, commonly having equalbandwidths and/or equally-spaced-apart bandwidths. For example,transmission of the second downlink packet may use a second channel ofthe first frequency range (wherein the first channel is different fromthe second channel). For example, the frequency range may be 900 MHz,1.9 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and/or at least 5 GHz. In some implementations,individual channels of a particular frequency range may use a 5 MHzbandwidth per channel, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, and/or use anotherbandwidth per channel. By way of non-limiting example, for the 5 GHzfrequency range, so-called channel 36 may range from 5170 to 5190 MHz,channel 46 may range from 5210 to 5250 MHz, and so forth.

In some implementations, device-specific packets may be transmitted byindividual communication devices 104. For example, a firstdevice-specific packet may be transmitted via an antenna 105 a (of atransceiver) of first communication device 104 a. For example, a seconddevice-specific packet may be transmitted via an antenna 105 b (of adifferent transceiver) of second communication device 104 b. Forexample, a third device-specific packet may be transmitted via antenna105 c (of yet a different transceiver) of third communication device 104c. In some implementations, the first, second, and third device-specificpackets may be transmitted in different time periods and/or during thesame timeframe. For example, transmission of the first device-specificpacket may use the first channel of the first frequency range. Forexample, transmission of the second device-specific packet may use thefirst channel of the first frequency range. For example, transmission ofthe third device-specific packet may use the first channel of the firstfrequency range.

In some implementations, channel mapping component 114 may be configuredto determine mappings between individual communication groups (astargeted by device-specific packets) and individual broadcast channels.For example, the selection of individual broadcast channels may be inaccordance with a particular selection from the set of communicationgroups. In some implementations, channel mapping component 114 may beconfigured to determine mappings between individual voice communicationchannels (as targeted by device-specific packets) and individualdedicated channels in downlink packets. In some implementations,determinations by channel mapping component 114 may be based on aparticular set of communications groups, as for example depicted inFIGS. 3A-3B-3C-3D.

Audio mixing component 126 may be configured to mix audio informationfrom different communication devices 104 (as received throughdevice-specific packets) into individual broadcast channels, dedicatedchannel, and/or other channels. In some implementations, audio mixingcomponent 126 may operate based on determinations made by channelmapping component 114. By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3Cillustrates exemplary set 303 of four communication groups that arespecific to different (types of) roles and/or locations in a work area,such as a quick-service restaurant. The first communication group isindicated by the circle with label “C1” in the center, the secondcommunication group is indicated by the circle with label “C2” in thecenter, the third communication group is indicated by the circle withlabel “C3” in the center, and the fourth communication group isindicated by the circle with label “C4” in the center. Communication fordifferent subsets of these four communication groups may use eightdifferent voice communication channels as depicted. Communication to atleast the first communication group may use a first, fifth, and eighthvoice communication channel. Communication to at least the secondcommunication group may use a second, fifth, and sixth voicecommunication channel. Communication to at least the third communicationgroup may use a third, sixth, and seventh voice communication channel.Communication to at least the fourth communication group may use afourth, seventh, and eighth voice communication channel. Usersinterested in communication to both the first and second communicationgroups may select the fifth voice communication channel “C5”. Usersinterested in communication to both the second and third communicationgroups may select the sixth voice communication channel “C6”. Usersinterested in communication to both the third and fourth communicationgroups may select the seventh voice communication channel “C7”. Usersinterested in communication to both the fourth and first communicationgroups may select the eighth voice communication channel “C8”.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 3D illustrates exemplary set 304 offive communication groups that are specific to different (types of)roles and/or locations in a work area, such as a quick-servicerestaurant. Communication for different subsets of these fivecommunication groups may use twelve different voice communicationchannels as depicted.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a given communication device 104 may include oneor more processors configured to execute computer program components.The computer program components may be configured to enable an expert oruser associated with the given communication device 104 to interfacewith system 100 and/or external resources 121, and/or provide otherfunctionality attributed herein to communication device(s) 104. By wayof non-limiting example, the given communication device 104 may includeone or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheldcomputer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a smartwatch/band, a belt pack, a headset, an ear bud, a gaming console, and/orother computing platforms.

External resources 121 may include sources of information outside ofsystem 100, external entities participating with system 100, and/orother resources. In some implementations, some or all of thefunctionality attributed herein to external resources 121 may beprovided by resources included in system 100.

Information processing unit(s) 102 may include electronic storage 122,one or more processors 124, and/or other components. Informationprocessing unit(s) 102 may include communication lines, or ports toenable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computingplatforms. Illustration of information processing unit(s) 102 in FIG. 1is not intended to be limiting. Information processing unit(s) 102 mayinclude a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware componentsoperating together to provide the functionality attributed herein toinformation processing unit(s) 102. For example, information processingunit(s) 102 may be implemented by a cloud of computing platformsoperating together as information processing unit(s) 102. In someimplementations, individual information processing units may be servers.

User interfaces 140 may be configured to facilitate interaction betweenusers and system 100 and/or between users and communication devices 104.For example, user interfaces 140 may provide an interface through whichusers may provide information to and/or receive information from system100. In some implementations, user interface 140 may include one or moreof a display screen, touchscreen, monitor, a keyboard, buttons,switches, knobs, levers, mouse, speakers, headphones, microphones,sensors to capture voice commands, sensors to capture eye movementand/or body movement, sensors to capture hand and/or finger gestures,and/or other user interface devices configured to receive and/or conveyuser input. In some implementations, one or more user interfaces 140 maybe included in one or more communication devices 104. In someimplementations, one or more user interfaces 140 may be included insystem 100.

Referring to FIG. 1 , processor(s) 124 may be configured to provideinformation processing capabilities in information processing unit(s)102. As such, processor(s) 124 may include one or more of a digitalprocessor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to processinformation, an analog circuit designed to process information, a statemachine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processinginformation. Although processor(s) 124 is shown in FIG. 1 as a singleentity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations,processor(s) 124 may include a plurality of processing units. Theseprocessing units may be physically located within the same device, orprocessor(s) 124 may represent processing functionality of a pluralityof devices operating in coordination. Processor(s) 124 may be configuredto execute components 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126,and/or other components. Processor(s) 124 may be configured to executecomponents 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126, and/or othercomponents by software; hardware; firmware; some combination ofsoftware, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms forconfiguring processing capabilities on processor(s) 124. As used herein,the term “component” may refer to any component or set of componentsthat perform the functionality attributed to the component. This mayinclude one or more physical processors during execution of processorreadable instructions, the processor readable instructions, circuitry,hardware, storage media, or any other components.

It should be appreciated that although components 108, 110, 112, 114,116, 118, 120, and/or 126 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being implementedwithin a single processing unit, in implementations in whichprocessor(s) 124 includes multiple processing units, one or more ofcomponents 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126 may beimplemented remotely from the other components. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different components 108, 110, 112, 114,116, 118, 120, and/or 126 described below is for illustrative purposes,and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components 108, 110, 112,114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126 may provide more or less functionalitythan is described. For example, one or more of components 108, 110, 112,114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126 may be eliminated, and some or all of itsfunctionality may be provided by other ones of components 108, 110, 112,114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126. As another example, processor(s) 124 maybe configured to execute one or more additional components that mayperform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one ofcomponents 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 126.

In some implementations, central communication device(s) 101,information processing unit(s) 102, communication device(s) 104, and/orexternal resources 121 may be operatively linked via one or moreelectronic communication links. For example, such electroniccommunication links may be established, at least in part, via one ormore wireless connections, via one or more networks 13 and/or othernetworks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to belimiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementationsin which central communication device(s) 101, information processingunit(s) 102, communication device(s) 104, and/or external resources 121may be operatively linked via some other communication media.

As depicted in FIG. 1 , base station 103 may include one or moreinformation processing units 102 a, electronic storage 122 a, one ormore processors 124 a, machine-readable code instructions 106 a, and/orother components. Information processing units 102 a may be the same asor similar to information processing units 102, though embedded and/orintegrated within base station 103. In other words, informationprocessing units 102 a may perform similar features as informationprocessing units 102. Electronic storage 122 a may be the same as orsimilar to electronic storage 122, though embedded and/or integratedwithin base station 103. In other words, electronic storage 122 a mayperform similar features as electronic storage 122. Processors 124 a maybe the same as or similar to processors 124, though embedded and/orintegrated within base station 103. In other words, processors 124 a mayperform similar features as processors 124. Machine-readable codeinstructions 106 a may be the same as or similar to machine-readablecode instructions 106, though embedded and/or integrated within basestation 103. In other words, machine-readable code instructions 106 amay perform similar features as machine-readable code instructions 106.In some implementations, base station 103 may use multiple differentcommunication links (e.g., using different communication standardsand/or formats). In some implementations, communication (in particularregistration and configuration) may include communication based on ashort-range wireless communication protocol, contact-less information,and/or near-field communication (NFC).

FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 for assigning voice communicationchannels used by a group of people, e.g., by crew of employees in aquick-service restaurant, in accordance with one or moreimplementations. The operations of method 200 presented below areintended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method 200 may beaccomplished with one or more additional operations not described,and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally,the order in which the operations of method 200 are illustrated in FIG.2 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some implementations, method 200 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 200 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 200.

At an operation 202, information is stored. The information representsassociations of individual voice communication channels with one or morecommunication groups. Individual ones of the one or more communicationgroups are associated with one or more roles of the employees.Individual associations are between an individual voice communicationchannel and a subset of the one or more communication groups. The one ormore communication groups include a first communication group, a secondcommunication group, and a third communication group. In someembodiments, operation 202 is performed by electronic storage the sameas or similar to electronic storage 122 (shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein).

At an operation 204, first user input is received from a first employee.The first user input identifies one or more of the first employee, afirst role of the first employee, and/or a first given communicationgroup associated with the first employee. User input and/or action mayalso be used to identify the specific communication device. The firstemployee is associated with the first communication device. In someembodiments, operation 204 is performed by an input component the sameas or similar to input component 116 (shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein).

At an operation 206, a first set of communication channel assignments isautomatically determined for the first communication device. A firstcommunication channel is assigned to the first given communicationgroup. A second communication channel is assigned to a first subset ofthe one or more communication groups. The first subset includes thefirst given communication group and at least one other communicationgroup. A third communication channel is assigned to a second subset ofthe one or more communication groups. The second subset includes thefirst given communication group and at least one additionalcommunication group such that the second subset is different from thefirst subset. In some embodiments, operation 206 is performed by anassignment component the same as or similar to assignment component 118(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 208, the first communication device is configuredaccording to the determined first set of communication channelassignments. In some embodiments, operation 208 is performed by aconfiguration component the same as or similar to configurationcomponent 120 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 210, a first device-specific packet is received from afirst communication device associated with the first employee. The firstdevice-specific packet includes packetized uplink information based onaudio information captured by the first communication device. The firstdevice-specific packet is targeted to the first communication group. Insome embodiments, operation 210 is performed by a packet receivingcomponent the same as or similar to packet receiving component 112(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 212, a second device-specific packet is received fromthe second communication device associated with the second employee. Thesecond device-specific packet includes packetized uplink informationbased on audio information captured by the second communication device.The second device-specific packet is targeted to the secondcommunication group. In some embodiments, operation 212 is performed bya packet receiving component the same as or similar to packet receivingcomponent 112 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 214, a third device-specific packet is received from thethird communication device associated with the third employee. The thirddevice-specific packet includes packetized uplink information based onaudio information captured by the third communication device. The thirddevice-specific packet is targeted to the third communication group. Insome embodiments, operation 214 is performed by a packet receivingcomponent the same as or similar to packet receiving component 112(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 216, a first downlink packet is generated that includespacketized downlink information that is organized in a set of broadcastchannels. Individual broadcast channels are used for audio informationreceived in device-specific packets that were targeted to individualsubsets of the one or more communication groups. In some embodiments,operation 216 is performed by a packet generating component the same asor similar to packet generating component 108 (shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed herein).

At an operation 218, the first downlink packet is transmitted to a setof the communication devices, including the first communication device.The first communication device receives user input from the firstemployee that selects a given communication channel. The givencommunication channel is one of the first communication channel, thesecond communication channel, or the third communication channel. Thefirst communication device presents audio information received in any ofthe individual broadcast channels that were targeted to any of theindividual subsets of the one or more communication groups that includethe given communication channel as selected. In some embodiments,operation 218 is performed by a packet transmission component the sameas or similar to packet transmission component 110 (shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed herein).

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication system configured for assigningparticular voice communication channels used by communication devices ina drive-through restaurant, wherein the communication devices include afirst communication device, the system comprising: electronic storageconfigured to electronically store information, wherein the informationrepresents associations of individual voice communication channels withcommunication groups, wherein individual ones of the communicationgroups are specific to one or more roles and/or responsibilities in thedrive-through restaurant, wherein individual associations are betweenthe individual voice communication channels and subsets of thecommunication groups, wherein the communication groups include a firstcommunication group and a second communication group; and one or morehardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions to:receive, from a first person, first user input that identifies one ormore of the first person, a first role of the first person, and/or thefirst communication group; automatically configure the firstcommunication device according to a first set of communication channelassignments, wherein a first communication channel is assigned to afirst subset of the communication groups, wherein the first subsetincludes the first communication group and at least one othercommunication group, wherein a second communication channel is assignedto a second subset of the communication groups, and wherein the secondsubset is different from the first subset; receive a firstdevice-specific packet from the first communication device, wherein thefirst device-specific packet includes packetized uplink informationbased on audio information captured by the first communication device,wherein the first device-specific packet is targeted to the firstcommunication group; generate a first downlink packet that includespacketized downlink information based on audio information previouslyreceived in device-specific packets that were targeted to individualones of the subsets of the communication groups; receive, by the firstcommunication device, user input that selects a given communicationchannel, wherein the given communication channel is one of the firstcommunication channel or the second communication channel; and transmitthe first downlink packet to a set of the communication devices,including the first communication device, for presenting audioinformation associated with individual ones of the subsets of thecommunication groups that include the given communication channel asselected.
 2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the firstcommunication device includes at least one of a headset and/or a beltpack.
 3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein a thirdcommunication channel is assigned to a third communication group.
 4. Thecommunication system of claim 3, wherein the first communication groupis specific to a first type of roles of in the drive-through restaurant,wherein the second communication group is specific to a second type ofroles of people working in the drive-through restaurant, and wherein thethird communication group is specific to order-taking in thedrive-through restaurant.
 5. The communication system of claim 1,wherein one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readableinstructions to: configure the first communication device according tothe determined first set of communication channel assignments.
 6. Thecommunication system of claim 5, wherein configuring the firstcommunication device includes transmitting configuration information tothe first communication device via a wireless communication link that isseparate and different from any communication links used to exchange atleast one of the first device-specific packet, the seconddevice-specific packet, or the first downlink packet.
 7. Thecommunication system of claim 1, wherein the first downlink packetfurther includes packetized downlink information that is organized in aset of dedicated channels, wherein the set of dedicated channelsincludes a first dedicated channel that is used for audio informationreceived in device-specific packets that were targeted, at least, to thefirst communication group, minus audio information received from thefirst communication device, such that the first person will not receivean echo through the first dedicated channel.
 8. The communication systemof claim 4, wherein the one or more hardware processors are furtherconfigured to: receive a third device-specific packet from a thirdcommunication device, wherein the third device-specific packet includespacketized uplink information based on audio captured by the thirdcommunication device, wherein the third device-specific packet istargeted to the third communication group; transmit the packetizeduplink information included in the third device-specific packet to anorder-taking system controlled by voice commands.
 9. The communicationsystem of claim 1, wherein the first downlink packet is transmittedwithin a given timeframe having a duration between 10 and 20 ms.
 10. Thecommunication system of claim 1, wherein the packetized downlinkinformation included in the first downlink packet is organized in a setof broadcast channels, wherein individual broadcast channels are usedfor the audio previously received in the device-specific packets thatwere targeted to the individual ones of the subsets of the communicationgroups.
 11. A method for assigning particular voice communicationchannels used by communication devices in a drive-through restaurant,wherein the communication devices include a first communication device,the method comprising: electronically storing information, wherein theinformation represents associations of individual voice communicationchannels with communication groups, wherein individual ones of thecommunication groups are specific to one or more roles and/orresponsibilities in the drive-through restaurant, wherein individualassociations are between the individual voice communication channels andsubsets of the communication groups, wherein the communication groupsinclude a first communication group and a second communication group;receiving, from a first person, first user input that identifies one ormore of the first person, a first role of the first person, and/or thefirst communication group; automatically configuring the firstcommunication device according to a first set of communication channelassignments, wherein a first communication channel is assigned to afirst subset of the communication groups, wherein the first subsetincludes the first communication group and at least one othercommunication group, wherein a second communication channel is assignedto a second subset of the communication groups, and wherein the secondsubset is different from the first subset; receiving a firstdevice-specific packet from the first communication device, wherein thefirst device-specific packet includes packetized uplink informationbased on audio information captured by the first communication device,wherein the first device-specific packet is targeted to the firstcommunication group; generating a first downlink packet that includespacketized downlink information based on audio information previouslyreceived in device-specific packets that were targeted to individualones of the subsets of the communication groups; receiving, by the firstcommunication device, user input that selects a given communicationchannel, wherein the given communication channel is one of the firstcommunication channel or the second communication channel; andtransmitting the first downlink packet to a set of the communicationdevices, including the first communication device, for presenting audioinformation associated with individual ones of the subsets of thecommunication groups that include the given communication channel asselected.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first communicationdevice includes at least one of a headset and/or a belt pack.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein a third communication channel is assigned toa third communication group.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thefirst communication group is specific to a first type of roles in thedrive-through restaurant, wherein the second communication group isspecific to a second type of roles in the drive-through restaurant, andwherein the third communication group is specific to order-taking in thedrive-through restaurant.
 15. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: configuring the first communication device according to thedetermined first set of communication channel assignments.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein configuring the first communication deviceincludes transmitting configuration information to the firstcommunication device via a wireless communication link that is separateand different from any communication links used to exchange at least oneof the first device-specific packet, the second device-specific packet,or the first downlink packet.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein thefirst downlink packet further includes packetized downlink informationthat is organized in a set of dedicated channels, wherein the set ofdedicated channels includes a first dedicated channel that is used foraudio information received in device-specific packets that weretargeted, at least, to the first communication group, minus audioinformation received from the first communication device, such that thefirst person will not receive an echo through the first dedicatedchannel.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving athird device-specific packet from a third communication device, whereinthe third device-specific packet includes packetized uplink informationbased on audio captured by the third communication device, wherein thethird device-specific packet is targeted to the third communicationgroup; transmitting the packetized uplink information included in thethird device-specific packet to an order-taking system controlled byvoice commands.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the first downlinkpacket is transmitted within a given timeframe having a duration between10 and 20 ms.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the packetizeddownlink information included in the first downlink packet is organizedin a set of broadcast channels, wherein individual broadcast channelsare used for the audio previously received in the device-specificpackets that were targeted to the individual ones of the subsets of thecommunication groups.
 21. A communication system configured forassigning particular voice communication channels used by communicationdevices, wherein the communication devices include a first communicationdevice, the system comprising: electronic storage configured toelectronically store information, wherein the information representsassociations of individual voice communication channels withcommunication groups, wherein individual ones of the communicationgroups are specific to one or more roles and/or responsibilities in aprofessional environment, wherein individual associations are betweenthe individual voice communication channels and subsets of thecommunication groups, wherein the communication groups include a firstcommunication group and a second communication group; and one or morehardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions to:receive, from a first person, first user input that identifies one ormore of the first person, a first role of the first person, and/or thefirst communication group; automatically configure the firstcommunication device according to a first set of communication channelassignments, wherein a first communication channel is assigned to afirst subset of the communication groups, wherein the first subsetincludes the first communication group and at least one othercommunication group, wherein a second communication channel is assignedto a second subset of the communication groups, and wherein the secondsubset is different from the first subset; receive a firstdevice-specific packet from the first communication device, wherein thefirst device-specific packet includes packetized uplink informationbased on audio information captured by the first communication device,wherein the first device-specific packet is targeted to the firstcommunication group; generate a first downlink packet that includespacketized downlink information based on audio information previouslyreceived in device-specific packets that were targeted to individualones of the subsets of the communication groups, wherein at least partof the packetized downlink information is organized in a set ofbroadcast channels, wherein individual broadcast channels are used forthe audio previously received in the device-specific packets that weretargeted to the individual ones of the subsets of the communicationgroups; receive, by the first communication device, user input thatselects a given communication channel, wherein the given communicationchannel is one of the first communication channel or the secondcommunication channel; and transmit the first downlink packet to a setof the communication devices, including the first communication device,for presenting audio information associated with individual ones of thesubsets of the communication groups that include the given communicationchannel as selected.
 22. A method for assigning particular voicecommunication channels used by communication devices, wherein thecommunication devices include a first communication device, the methodcomprising: electronically storing information, wherein the informationrepresents associations of individual voice communication channels withcommunication groups, wherein individual ones of the communicationgroups are specific to one or more roles and/or responsibilities in aprofessional environment, wherein individual associations are betweenthe individual voice communication channels and subsets of thecommunication groups, wherein the communication groups include a firstcommunication group and a second communication group; receiving, from afirst person, first user input that identifies one or more of the firstperson, a first role of the first person, and/or the first communicationgroup; automatically configuring the first communication deviceaccording to a first set of communication channel assignments, wherein afirst communication channel is assigned to a first subset of thecommunication groups, wherein the first subset includes the firstcommunication group and at least one other communication group, whereina second communication channel is assigned to a second subset of thecommunication groups, and wherein the second subset is different fromthe first subset; receiving a first device-specific packet from thefirst communication device, wherein the first device-specific packetincludes packetized uplink information based on audio informationcaptured by the first communication device, wherein the firstdevice-specific packet is targeted to the first communication group;generating a first downlink packet that includes packetized downlinkinformation based on audio information previously received indevice-specific packets that were targeted to individual ones of thesubsets of the communication groups, wherein at least part of thepacketized downlink information is organized in a set of broadcastchannels, wherein individual broadcast channels are used for the audiopreviously received in the device-specific packets that were targeted tothe individual ones of the subsets of the communication groups;receiving, by the first communication device, user input that selects agiven communication channel, wherein the given communication channel isone of the first communication channel or the second communicationchannel; and transmitting the first downlink packet to a set of thecommunication devices, including the first communication device, forpresenting audio information associated with individual ones of thesubsets of the communication groups that include the given communicationchannel as selected.